Everyone but they was/were

[Banglardon]

I have a question regarding the usage of but. I have found a site that says both of the following examples are right. Here is the link.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/dictionary.cambridge.org/amp/british-grammar/but

The examples from the website are:

1- Everyone but she knew how the drama was going to end.

2- Everyone but her knew how the drama was going to end.

But my question is if I use a plural pronoun after but in its subject form, should I use a plural verb.

3- Everyone but they was present in the school.

4- Everyone but they were present in the school.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I have a question regarding the usage of but. I have found a site that says both of the following examples are right. Here is the link.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/dictionary.cambridge.org/amp/british-grammar/but

The examples are:

1- Everyone but she knew how the drama was going to end.

2- Everyone but her knew how the drama was going to end.

I guess they can be defended either way. I probably take this cop-out: Everyone but Nancy knew how the drama was going to end.

But my question is if I use a plural pronoun after but in its subject form, should I use a plural verb.

3- Everyone but they was present in the school.

4- Everyone but they were present in the school.

Since Everyone is singular, I'd probably say: Everyone but them was present.

Interesting questions. I'm not a teacher or grammarian, so I look forward to seeing what others say.

 

[jutfrank]

The direct answer is no. The verb should agree with the head of its subject noun phrase.

As Charlie says, in the phrase everybody but them, the head is everybody, which takes a singular verb.